With only two games remaining on the schedule, the New England Patriots’ regular season is nearing its end. The first of those contests will see the team of head coach Mike Vrabel — playoff ticket in hand — travel to New York to take on the Jets in what is a must-win game despite the two rivals’ record disparity: the easiest way for the Patriots to capture the AFC East title is to go 2-0 in the next two games.

Naturally, our non-holiday focus this week was primarily on that particular contest. With that said, let’s clean out the notebook....

The New England Patriots will take on the New York Jets at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, and the game could have far-reaching implications both for their position within the AFC East as well as the AFC overall. A win could potentially seal the division and keep the chance at the No. 1 seed in the playoffs alive, while a loss might end up dropping the Patriots in both standings.

With that said, let’s take a look at the updated playoff picture before the Patriots’ game in New York.

AFC East standings

1. New England Patriots (12-3)
2. Buffalo...

The New England Patriots have not swept another AFC East time since 2022, but on Sunday they will have a prime opportunity to do so again: after already beating the New York Jets in Week 11, they will travel to MetLife Stadium as big favorites to go 2-0 against their division rivals.

A win would not just put an end to the sweep-less streak, though. It also would keep the Patriots ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the race for the AFC East championship, and allow them to remain in position for the top playoff seed in the conference.

Here...

Happy holidays! The New England Patriots already made themselves an early Christmas present last Sunday, when they clinched a playoff spot thanks to their 28-24 win in Baltimore. This week, they have their sights set on the next challenge: beating the New York Jets to keep their one-game advantage in the AFC East heading into the regular season finale.

That game is only one of 16 to be played this weekend, however, and several of those other contests either directly or indirectly impact the Patriots in some shape or form as well. Let’s take a look at those games and...

After clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2021, the Patriots will look to take another step toward the AFC East title with a Week 17 win against the Jets.

With a one-game lead over the Bills, the Pats can claim the division banner this weekend if they defeat the Jets and the Bills drop their game against the Eagles. New England can also secure the AFC East title with wins in its final two games.

MORE: Patriots Can Extend Jets’ Record-Setting Drought In Week 17

New York is limping toward the finish line after losing five of...

The No. 1 seed in the AFC is still up for grabs, but the Los Angeles Chargers’ loss to the Houston Texans in Week 17 is potentially bad news for the New England Patriots’ chances at the one seed.

The Denver Broncos need a win to secure the top seed in the AFC. However, after the Chargers’ loss to the Texans, the Broncos have secured the AFC West title. The Broncos and Chargers face off in Week 18, but now the Chargers have less to play for, meaning they could rest their starters.

The Patriots’ path to the top seed...

The New England Patriots will face the New York Jets on Sunday with a chance to clinch the AFC East by the end of the day.

The Patriots announced on Saturday that TreVeyon Henderson, who was originally listed as questionable, has cleared concussion protocol. Henderson was a full participant in Friday’s practice, but needed to be cleared in order to play.

The Patriots will be without two key weapons, Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte, but having Henderson will help soften the blow. Henderson exited the game against the Baltimore Ravens early, logging just 14 snaps. However, he has been a...

The New England Patriots will have TreVeyon Henderson available in Week 17. As the team announced on Saturday, the rookie running back has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will play against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Henderson, 23, was one of three Patriots entering the protocol after sustaining a head injury last Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. The second-round draft pick went down midway through the second quarter and subsequently had to exit the game.

Unlike wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and left guard Jared Wilson, Henderson was back at practice at the first possible opportunity. While still limited...

The New England Patriots have clinched a playoff berth and are looking to win the AFC East. However, they have just placed a key player on injured reserve.

On Saturday, New England announced that Mack Hollins was placed on injured reserve. He was added to the injury report due to an abdominal injury this week, but now the Patriots will be without him for at least four weeks.

Hollins has been a great addition for the Patriots. He is third on the team in receptions and receiving yards. He has played 68% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps, which is more...

The New England Patriots made some changes to their roster ahead of their Week 17 game against the New York Jets.

Wide receiver Mack Hollins was sent to injured reserve because of the abdomen injury that has kept him out of practice the entire week. In a corresponding move, defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. was promoted from the practice squad to fill his spot on the 53-man team.

Let’s assess what the transactions mean for the Patriots from a big-picture perspective.

WR Mack Hollins: Placed on IR

Blow to the offense: Since arriving in New England via a two-year,...

The New England Patriots may have finalized a 53-man roster out of training camp, but that team was not set in stone. By Week 1, there had already been several moves — a trend that only continued since and will do so through the rest of the season.

In order to stay on top of all the news and movement, here is our up-to-date breakdown of the the Patriots’ roster, practice squad and injury lists for this season.

Patriots updated roster: 53 players

Quarterback (3): Drake Maye (10), Joshua Dobbs (11), Tommy DeVito (16)

Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson...

The New England Patriots will finish the regular season without Mack Hollins.

The organization officially sent the veteran wide receiver to injured reserve on the eve of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Filling the open spot on the 53-man roster, defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. has been signed from the practice squad in a corresponding move.

Hollins, 32, had been ruled out due to an abdomen injury after being listed as a non-participant for three consecutive days. He will now spend at least four games on injured reserve as the 12-3 Patriots finish out the schedule with an...